Coromandel Fishers is a captivating poem by the renowned Indian poet Sarojini Naidu, also known as the "Nightingale of India." Published in her 1916 collection "The Bird of Time," this poem transports readers to the sun-drenched shores of the Coromandel Coast, where Naidu masterfully weaves a tapestry of imagery, rhythm, and emotion. Through her vivid descriptions and lyrical language, Naidu celebrates the resilience, strength, and dignity of the fishermen who brave the treacherous seas to provide for their families. In this blog, we will delve into a summary and analysis of Coromandel Fishers, exploring the poem's themes, poetic devices, and the cultural context that inspired Naidu's timeless masterpiece.
Table of Contents
Coromandel Fishers by Sarojini Naidu
Stanza 1
Rise, brothers, rise; the wakening skies pray to the morning light,
The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn like a child that has cried all night.
Come, let us gather our nets from the shore and set our catamarans free,
To capture the leaping wealth of the tide, for we are the kings of the sea!
Stanza 2
No longer delay, let us hasten away in the track of the sea gull's call,
The sea is our mother, the cloud is our brother, the waves are our comrades all.
What though we toss at the fall of the sun where the hand of the sea-god drives?
He who holds the storm by the hair, will hide in his breast our lives.
Stanza 3
Sweet is the shade of the cocoanut glade, and the scent of the mango grove,
And sweet are the sands at the full o' the moon with the sound of the voices we love;
But sweeter, O brothers, the kiss of the spray and the dance of the wild foam's glee;
Row, brothers, row to the edge of the verge, where the low sky mates with the sea.
Summary of Coromandel Fishers
Here is a stanza-by-stanza summary of the poem "Coromandel Fishers" by Sarojini Naidu:
Stanza 1
The leader of the fishermen calls out to his comrades to rise with the dawn. He notes that the sky is brightening with morning light and the wind, which was blowing all night, now lies still like a sleeping child in the arms of dawn. The leader urges the fishermen to gather their nets from the shore and set their boats free to capture the abundant fish that the tide will bring. He reminds them that they are the kings of the sea.
Stanza 2
The leader exhorts his fellow fishermen not to delay but to hasten out to sea, following the call of the seagulls. He reminds them that the sea is their mother, the clouds their brothers, and the waves their companions. Though they may be tossed about by the sea at sunset, the leader assures them that the sea god who controls the storms will protect their lives.
Stanza 3
The leader acknowledges that the shade of the coconut groves and the fragrance of the mango trees are sweet, and the sands at the full moon with the voices of loved ones are also pleasant. However, he declares that even sweeter are the kiss of the sea spray and the dance of the wild foam. He urges the fishermen to row to the very edge of the horizon where the sky meets the sea.
The poem vividly depicts the life of the Coromandel fishermen, their close connection with the sea, and their fearless spirit as they venture out daily to earn their living from the ocean's bounty. Sarojini Naidu's lyrical language and vivid imagery bring their world to life.
Analysis of the Poem
Here is an analysis of the poem "Coromandel Fishers" by Sarojini Naidu:
Themes
- Connection with nature: The poem emphasizes the deep connection the fishermen have with the sea, sky, clouds, and waves. The sea is personified as their mother, the clouds as their brothers, and the waves as their companions.
- Resilience and courage: Despite the dangers of the sea, the fishermen display resilience and courage in venturing out daily to earn their living. The leader assures them that the sea god will protect them.
- Pride and dignity: The fishermen take pride in their work and see themselves as the "kings of the sea." Naidu portrays them with dignity and strength.
Poetic Devices
- Imagery: Naidu uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the fishermen's world - the brightening sky, the sleeping wind, the abundant fish, the kiss of the sea spray, and the dance of the wild foam.
- Personification: The sea, clouds, and waves are personified as family members and companions of the fishermen, highlighting their close relationship with nature.
- Rhythm and rhyme: The poem has a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality, with a consistent rhyme scheme that adds to its musical nature.
Cultural Context
Coromandel Fishers reflects the culture and lifestyle of the fishermen along the Coromandel Coast of India. Naidu, who was born in Hyderabad, was familiar with the coastal regions and their people. The poem celebrates the hard work, resilience, and dignity of these fishermen, who were an integral part of the coastal communities.
It is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the lives of the fishermen along the Coromandel Coast. Through her vivid imagery, personification, and rhythmic language, Sarojini Naidu pays tribute to their strength, courage, and connection with the natural world.
Conclusion
Coromandel Fishers by Sarojini Naidu stands as a timeless tribute to the indomitable spirit of the fishermen who brave the unpredictable seas to sustain their livelihoods. Through rich imagery, poignant personification, and a rhythmic flow of language, Naidu transports readers to the vibrant world of the Coromandel Coast, celebrating the deep bond between humanity and nature.
This poem not only showcases Naidu's poetic prowess but also serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience, pride, and dignity found in the everyday lives of those who depend on the sea for their existence. "Coromandel Fishers" remains a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers, inviting them to appreciate the beauty and challenges of a life intertwined with the rhythms of the ocean.
